It’s been reported that the Washington Nationals have come to terms with Free Agent catcher and ex-Oriole Matt Wieters. The deal is worth 21 million over the next two years. The deal has a player option for 2018 and is worth 10.5 million per year with 5 million deferred.
Sheesh, I’ll be honest I completely forgot Wieters was still on the market. It’s rare for a player as good as Wieters to sign this late, especially for his position. In an era where positions like middle infielders are loaded with young talent, catcher isn’t one of them. Since making his debut in 2009 Wieters has 117 homeruns putting him third out of all catchers since then. Yikes. Granted there’s never much offensive talent at catcher but that’s pretty sad, an average of a little over 14 a year marks third in baseball. Still good numbers for Wieters and makes it that much for baffling why he went unsigned for so long as he did.
The Nationals had a need also losing Free agent catcher Wilson Ramos to the Rays. The Nationals other catchers are Jose Lobaton and Derek Norris, both nothing more then a glorified back up at the best. So this move is a great one for the Nats, they got him at good value, minimal risk, and have insurance on him. As a Met fan I really hate this move, the Mets could have used a catcher like Wieters. Wieters has queitely made four All-Star games and has two gold gloves. He hit 17 dingers last year with 66RBI’s batting .243. Both a defensive presence at backstop and a guy with some pop Wieters is more then an upgrade for the Nats.
Wieters is 30, so he still should have enough in the tank left for the next year or two. What does the move mean? I think it solidifies their lineup and reassures them as the favorites to win the NL East. Harper had a down year and should bounce back being it’s his contract year. Must be nice for the Nats to underperform and still win 95 games. The division is far from over though. The Mets are a threat when healthy, they’re just never healthy. If the Mets pitchers can stay healthy and get enough offense from their bats this should be a close race. Look for each team to win over 90 games and give the advantage to the Nats.
